News

Ravi Coltrane Quartet Featured at Marian Anderson Theatre April 19 Arts and Lecture Series Event

January 11, 2012

Critically acclaimed and Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Ravi Coltrane will perform at the Marian Anderson Music Center at Cheyney University on Thursday April 19, 2012. The program is part of the 2011-2012 Arts and Lecture Series.

Since 1991, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman with many jazz luminaries, recorded noteworthy albums, overseen important jazz reissues, and founded the prominent independent record label, RKM.

Born on Long Island, New York in 1965, the second son of John and Alice Coltrane, Ravi was named after Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the Los Angeles where Ravi first developed interest in the arts. As young man he initially played clarinet and switched to saxophone in high school. He continued his studies at California Institute of the Arts.

In 1991 his father's renowned drummer, Elvin Jones, saw in Ravi an emergent authentic performer and hired Ravi to play with his band. After his tenure with Elvin, Ravi found himself working alongside a list of names that reads like the Who's Who of American Jazz and Pop, including McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Michael Brecker, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Branford Marsalis, Mark Turner, Jacky Terrasson, Jack DeJohnnette, Rashied Ali, Wallace Roney, Antoine Roney, Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, Cindy Blackman, Joe Lovano, Joanne Brackeen, Gerry Gibbs, Graham Haynes, and Steve Coleman for whom he appears on several albums. Indeed, Ravi's credits include recording as a sideman on more than thirty recordings.

His first album, MOVING PICTURES (RCA Victor), was released in 1997, followed by FROM THE ROUND BOX in 2000, and MAD 6 (Columbia). In 2004, Ravi produced TRANSLINEAR LIGHT (Impulse!), featuring an all-star ensemble which included his mother Alice, Ravi, his brother Oran, Charlie Haden, Jack Dejohnette, James Genus, and Jeff Watts. Ravi's 2005 album, IN FLUX (Savoy), was voted the #3 top album in The New York Times' prestigious 2005 year-end list and BLENDING TIMES (Savoy) was released in 2009 to exemplary reviews.

Ravi and his wife Kathleen Hennessy have two sons, William and Aaron. He frequently tours the world with the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, a dynamic band whose members include pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Drew Gress and drummer E.J. Strickland.

The Arts and Lecture Series provides an array of programs for the Cheyney University community and campus guests. The series is intended to further enrich the cultural experience on campus. The Arts and Lecture Series is sponsored by a grant Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Title III).

All Cheyney University faculty, staff, and students have free admission with ID to all of the events. Guests are welcome, and tickets are available for purchase. Please click on the Calendar to see the many exciting events.

General admission tickets cost $15 and can be purchased in advance through Ticketleap on the University's website - www.cheyney.edu.